Why Unmarried Couples Need Estate Planning Documents to Protect Their Partners
By
Robert Powell, CFP - Retirement, Senior Editor
Summary
Estate planning attorney Harry Margolis warns that unmarried couples lack the automatic legal protections that marriage provides, meaning partners may not inherit assets, make medical decisions, or have funeral rights without proper estate planning documents. The article emphasizes that cohabitation alone does not grant inheritance or decision-making authority, making wills, powers of attorney, and other legal documents essential for unmarried partners.
Source
bskyWhy Unmarried Couples Need Estate Planning Documents to Protect Their Partnersbit.lyKey quotes
· 3 pulledUnmarried partners generally do not receive the legal protections that marriage automatically provides, making estate planning documents far more than a formality.
Without them, a surviving partner could lose inheritance rights, decision-making authority, and even the ability to participate in funeral arrangements.
Many people assume their longtime partner will automatically inherit assets or make medical decisions during an emergency — that could be a costly mistake.
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